14 of the Coolest Office Spaces in the Magic City

Tired of your cramped cubicle? Weary of schlepping your lunch to the break room, then staring at the same “Hang in there” kitten-dangling-from-tree-branch image as the microwave hums and beeps? Bored with the drab conference room where “people” drone on with soul-numbing business jargon like “Can you add that deliverable to your list of action items?” Or “The best practices aren’t producing a robust solution — we need to peel back the onion and dive deep.” Or “Let’s take this offline and drill down, so we can leverage our best practices and core competency to find synergy with our corporate values.”

Is your soul numb yet? Or should I say, “In the digital publishing stratosphere, is our client service yielding a significant return on investment?”

Well, we’ve had it with boring offices! We’re kicking down the cubicle walls! We’re tossing our business blazers and leaving our swivel chairs in the dust! We’ve pounded the pavement and scoured the town to find super-creative and fun workplaces that inspire and make work feel like play! Here are 14 of the coolest offices in the Magic City.

14 of the Coolest Offices in Birmingham

CCR Architecture & Interiors

This is the live/work space of Cohen Carnaggio Reynolds, CCR Architecture & Interiors. The first floor houses the firm’s offices, and the second floor serves as the husband-and-wife architecture duo’s residence. “Our building is a tilt-up concrete and steel warehouse with large windows and outdoor space to enjoy the views,” says CCR President, Architect and Interior Designer Tammy Cohen. “The biggest challenge is waiting for the trees to mature for shade. We love having a private garden and pool on the urban edge of the city for lunch and CCR activities.”

“The history of Seaboard Yard and Sloss Furnaces is what I love most about our site. We are working and living where Birmingham began — at the intersection of railroads and our industrial past. Our view of Sloss Furnaces, trains, planes, the city center and beautiful sunsets are most inspiring for our design studio and home. Access to downtown, Southside, Lakeview, Avondale, Pepper Place and the Rotary Trail keep us connected to clients and design opportunities,” says Tammy.

"Our building is a tilt-up concrete and steel warehouse with large windows and outdoor space to enjoy the views," says CCR President Tammy Cohen. Image: Liesa Cole — “Our building is a tilt-up concrete and steel warehouse with large windows and outdoor space to enjoy the views,” says CCR President, Architect and Interior Designer Tammy Cohen. Image: Liesa Cole

The second-floor balcony offers a fabulous view of Birmingham's iconic Sloss Furnaces and the Magic City's twinkling night skyline. Image: Liesa Cole — The second-floor balcony offers a fabulous view of Birmingham’s iconic Sloss Furnaces and the Magic City’s twinkling night skyline. Image: Liesa Cole

"We love having a private garden and pool on the urban edge of the city for lunch and CCR activities," says Tammy. Image: Liesa Cole — “We love having a private garden and pool on the urban edge of the city for lunch and CCR activities,” says Tammy. Image: Liesa Cole

The industrial space is crisp and modern. Image: Liesa Cole — The industrial office space is crisp and modern. Image: Liesa Cole

Big Communications

This office is full of creative minds and visually striking personality. Folks bring their dogs to work and set about creating art that moves and inspires, so it is no wonder that the interiors also stir the imagination. “What I love most about Big’s office is that the space feels friendly,” says Big Communications Senior Account Executive Satina Richardson. “There are two floors, but no matter which floor you’re on, there’s an atmosphere in which everyone is free to be themselves and to create.”

Motivational black-and-white art stays in keeping with the contrasting color theme.

RELATED: 25 Snapshots of Quintessential Birmingham

Pops of color, ad art and vintage items soften the sleek black-and-white foundation.

Nike

This office and showroom space for Nike is meant to serve wholesale customers who are major retailers of sporting goods shoes and clothing. “The rustic, raw, Alabama marble and blue mill scale steel materials transition to more polished and finished materials to symbolize the shaping of a finely tuned athlete through inspiration and innovation, hard work, practice and technique,” says Joel Blackstock, Principal Architect and President of Williams Blackstock Architects.

The sleek, contemporary Alabama marble reception desk against the backdrop of the blue mill steel — both quintessential materials of Birmingham — greets visitors of the Nike office and showroom. Image: Seth Chandelor

The hallway outside the retail showroom features an inspiring graphic quote on the wall and photos of legendary athletes, which also serve as the identifying room names. Image: Seth Chandelor

The divider wall between the double showroom can be raised and lowered for a dramatic reveal of Nike's latest product lines. Image: Seth Chandelor — The divider wall between the double showroom can be raised and lowered for a dramatic reveal of Nike’s latest product lines. Image: Seth Chandelor

The breakroom’s centerpiece is a table made of local recycled gym flooring and bleachers. Image: Seth Chandelor — The break room’s centerpiece is a table made of local recycled gym flooring and bleachers. Image: Seth Chandelor

Studio GoodLight

This award-winning space was designed by CCR Architecture & Interiors for photographer Liesa Cole and her husband and Studio GoodLight producer, Stan Bedingfield. The duo dreamt of a space, bathed in natural light, where creatives could be fully equipped to create something beautiful and inspiring. “We love the quirky, playful elements juxtaposed with the sense of history imbued in the original livery walls, massive bridge girders and upcycled décor. It all comes together in an open modern design, awash with natural light,” says Liesa. Stan adds, “Our architect, Richard Carnaggio, did an incredible job re-imagining this space to suit our needs and tastes.”

Studio/venue amenities include: 20' x 15' cyclorama cove wall for shooting or projecting, full service kitchen and bar, dressing lounge/green room, garage load in, strobe/ continuous lighting kits, and grip gear. Production services available including; scouting, casting, props, wardrobe, styling and valet parking. Image: Liesa Cole — Studio amenities include a cyclorama cove wall for shooting or projecting, full-service kitchen and bar, dressing lounge or green room space, garage load-in, strobe and continuous lighting kits and grip gear. Production services include scouting, casting, props, wardrobe, styling and valet parking. Image: Liesa Cole

Studio conference spaces and work stations | Image: Liesa Cole

Kinetic

Situated on iconic Morris Avenue, the familiar red caboose and commissioned graffiti mural are the first clues that Kinetic is not your average corporate office space. And the interior does not disappoint, with the towering double-decker cube of creative office cubicles and train boxcar-style cubicles. Creative, collaborative spaces are throughout, including a think tank and upstairs game area with retro pinball, arcade games, ping-pong table, basketball, foosball and billiards. There is also an exercise room with sauna, shower and steam room. Outside, the willow tree-covered courtyard is a great place to grill a burger and have lunch while train-watching. Above, the expansive rooftop is a virtual playground with, among other things, a putting green, life-sized chess set and lounge area for just taking an afternoon break. Other surprises abound — from the LED-lit beverage bar to the sit-stand desks to the custom ‘K’ weather vane.

“We’re a technology company with a unique and creative company culture. We love the juxtaposition of history meeting technology – which was the basis for the ‘cowboys vs. aliens’ design concept,” Kinetic Principal Jay Brandrup says. “We’re just so lucky to be able to come to work here every day.”

Mike Gibson, Architect with Golden + Appleseed was the creative brain behind this masterpiece among unconventional offices. “The hardest part of any adaptive reuse project is working with the existing conditions, so on this project — which in part includes in the oldest commercial building in Birmingham — it was no small task,” says Mike. “My favorite thing about it is the two-story custom Kinetic cube work space, and building space inside of the train cars was pretty cool as well.”

The red caboose on Morris Avenue has been home to multiple night clubs and Victoria Station, a famous '70s-era restaurant frequented by Johnny Cash and June Carter. Cash so loved the eatery that he wrote a song about it, which is soon to be re-released by Sony. Image: Edward Badham — The red caboose on Morris Avenue has been home to multiple night clubs and Victoria Station, a famous ’70s-era restaurant frequented by Johnny Cash and June Carter. Cash so loved the eatery that he wrote a song about it, which is soon to be re-released by Sony. Image: Edward Badham

The central two-story custom Kinetic Cube work space is a breathtaking sight. Notice the original Victoria Station signage in the red caboose room, which also houses, the old hostess stand and memorabilia from the restaurant, Johnny Cash Victoria Station records and other historic relics from Morris Avenue. Image: Edward Badham — The central two-story custom Kinetic cube work space is a breathtaking sight. Notice the original Victoria Station signage in the red caboose room, which also houses the old hostess stand, memorabilia from the restaurant, Johnny Cash Victoria Station records and other historic Morris Avenue relics. Image: Edward Badham

This is the futuristic Think Tank! Image: Edward Badham — This is the futuristic think tank! Image: Edward Badham

The game room with exercise room in the back, also features guitars, drums, pin ball machine, a arcade game machine that includes every arcade game ever invented, a ping-pong table, a state-of-the-art e-basketball hoop and a game center that has everything from Atari and Nintendo to the late-breaking games. Image: Edward Badham — The game room with exercise room in the back also features guitars, drums, pinball machine, an arcade game machine that includes every arcade game ever invented, a ping-pong table, a state-of-the-art e-basketball hoop and a game center that has everything from Atari and Nintendo to the latest in video game technology. Image: Edward Badham

The antique doors in this billiards room were salvaged from the arches in the main office space, and when you hit the door knockers three times, the lights are programmed to turn on and off! Image: Edward Badham

The rooftop has hosted countless parties, and it is the perfect place to enjoy the sunset against the Magic City cityscape. Image: Edward Badham

Lewis Communications

The new Lewis Communications building, designed by Williams Blackstock Architects, is a historic tax credit renovation of a postwar international-style five-story building in growing downtown Birmingham.

This historic building is one of the first 1960’s mid-century modern buildings with the original curtainwall to be certified by the National Park Service. Image: Luker Photography — This historic building is one of the first 1960’s mid-century modern buildings with the original “curtainwall” to be certified by the National Park Service. Image: Luker Photography

The existing monumental stair remains and all railings in the building matches the details of this beautiful mid-century modern, aluminum and glass stair. Image: Lewis Communications — The existing monumental stair remains, and all railings in the building match the details of this beautiful mid-century modern, aluminum and glass stair. Image: Lewis Communications

This main two-story lobby space serves as the client entry and will act as the largest gathering space with a large accent wall on the west end of the space that presentations can be projected onto. Image: Lewis Communications — This main two-story lobby space features a large accent wall that presentations can be projected onto. Image: Lewis Communications

The expansive walls of glass add great light to the open-office space concept and collaborative spaces. Image: Luker Photography — The expansive walls of glass add great light to the open-office concept and collaborative spaces. Image: Luker Photography

The roof features a glass and steel pavilion as well as pavers, planters, a fire pit and a grill to create a comfortable, relaxing environment among the Magic City skyscrapers. Image: Luker Photography — The roof features a glass and steel pavilion as well as planters, a fire pit and a grill to create a comfortable, relaxing environment among the Magic City skyscrapers. Image: Luker Photography

P&S Transportation

This transportation and logistics company transformed a motorcycle shop into its corporate office. “The existing building had historic brick and a wood ceiling that were important to restore and highlight,” says Lead Interior Designer and Principal of Hatcher Schuster Interiors, Ivy Schuster. “The new interiors create a nice contrast with the use of bright colors and industrial finishes. The open plan creates a collaborative work environment, and the life-size superhero and Marvel characters featured throughout the space came from the owner’s personal art collection and create a dramatic presence in the space.”

Executive Vice President of CMH Architects Mike Tillman says it was a great space to work with. “This former motorcycle repair shop had great bones that we were able to expose by limiting wall heights & ceilings,” he explains. “The required enclosed spaces are as low as possible to expose the existing brick, roof framing and roof decking that together with the owner’s memorabilia create a whimsical area as relief to the sometimes stressful work of transportation and logistics.”

Batman lords over this common work space.

High ceilings with wooden beams, exposed brick, modern lighting and life-size comic book heroes lend personality to this inviting, light-filled corner conference room.

This break room boasts multiple comic heroes, as well as a state-of-the-art ping-pong table for when you need to wipe your mental slate clean with a good old game of ping-pong!

Railroad Square

“This is a classic tale of a dilapidated building resurrected,” says CCR Architecture & Interiors Vice President and Architect Richard Carnaggio. “Except here, real estate development firm Shannon Waltchack allowed the soul of the building to remain in unrestrained commemoration. Where it became unfeasible to work around some objects and materials, we reused and established new roles for these elements, allowing them to stay and tell a new tale.”

The remaining historical elements were given new life as they were unearthed. “This project evolved naturally along the way as more was discovered and as tenant opportunities arose,” says Richard. “One of the most rewarding and visually striking parts is the masonry arch that we created by hammering out the bricks in a catenary arch profile so that we relied on simple physics rather than adding unnecessary steel. That took a good bit of confidence in each other to pull off, it was a good bit of fun to boot!”

Warm brick, distressed wood and vintage tile are complemented by strong architectural lines. Image: Liesa Cole

"One of the most rewarding and visually striking parts is the masonry arch that we created by hammering out the bricks," says Richard. Image: Liesa Cole — “One of the most rewarding and visually striking parts is the masonry arch that we created by hammering out the bricks,” says Richard. Image: Liesa Cole

Another section of the building is converts the historical space into an airy, light-filled modern office. Image: Liesa Cole — Another section of the building converts the historical space into an airy, light-filled modern office. Image: Liesa Cole

Stewart Perry

While most cutting-edge offices in this roundup feature jaw-dropping technology and sleek, modern interiors, Merrill Stewart of Stewart Perry wanted his office to represent a different type of modernity: his company’s commitment to the movement for green and sustainable construction. So, he turned to architect David Blackmon of Blackmon Rogers Architects, and the result is a 10-acre site that won a national award from Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc., achieved the U.S. Green Building Council’s Silver LEED certification and boasts a barn, garden, bee colony and more.

The pond's aeration system improves water quality. — The pond’s aeration system improves water quality.

This main conference room boasts operable casement windows with screens for natural ventilation. — This main conference room is rustic and woodsy, and it boasts operable casement windows with screens for natural ventilation.

This office feels more like a lakeside retreat.

The wraparound porch is adjacent to a nearby lakeside seating area. — The wrap-around porch is adjacent to a nearby lakeside seating area.

Bees are hard at work at Stewart Perry's bee colony. — Bees are hard at work at Stewart Perry‘s bee colony.

Corporate Realty Associates at Bakers Row

You may have noticed this handsome new conversion of the old Merita Bakery at the end of Railroad Park and been curious about what’s going on inside. Well, the adaptive re-use project, now called Bakers Row, houses businesses like Corproate Realty Associates and was designed by KPS Group. “We used a minimalistic approach to the interior to let the architecture shine, because the high ceilings, exposed ductwork and sawtooth skylights of this renovated baking factory ‘make’ the space,” says Donna Dowling, Director of Interior Design at KPS Group. “The transparency of the architectural walls gives the illusion of open space, with flexibility that offers employees a variety of ways to work and collaborate.”

A view of the exterior of Bakers Row | Image: Mason Fischer — A view of the exterior of Bakers Row at the end of Railroad Park | Image: Mason Fischer

This modern black-and-white office embraces natural light as a central player in its design scheme. Image: Mason Fischer

The break room flows seamlessly into a conference room, which can be closed off by sliding glass doors. Image: Mason Fischer

Unique circular lighting makes a simple yet stunning statement in this one-of-a-kind conference room. Image: Mason Fischer

The Stockyard

“This project was an exploration of primitive and raw urban reclaimed construction for premium office space,” says Richard Carnaggio, CCR Architecture & Interiors Vice President and Architect. “Exploiting and manipulating shipping containers in a double-shell construction methodology allowed the offices of both Shannon Waltchack and Scout Branding to follow separate design strategies, allowing for unique solutions to their particular needs.”

“The focal point of the project is the 40-foot-tall shipping container situated vertically, which serves as the entrance to the two conference rooms and is capped by a skylight that gives the optical illusion that the container is open to the sky,” says Richard.

The reclamation of building materials included rusted discarded barn siding and the lumber was milled and kiln dried on site from trees removed by the City of Birmingham street and sanitation department. Image: Liesa Cole — The reclamation of building materials included rusted discarded barn siding, and the lumber was milled and kiln-dried on site from trees removed by the City of Birmingham street and sanitation department. Image: Liesa Cole

These shipping containers are repurposed into ultra-creative cubicles. Image: Liesa Cole

We love the massive door of reclaimed wood and the sliding chalkboard. Image: Liesa Cole

Business Interiors

Architect Mike Gibson of recently merged Golden + Appleseed converted this car shop and showroom into the corporate office for Business Interiors. “The challenge here was that all the walls that touch the ground are made of a product called DIRTT, and the soffits and ceilings are hung from the ceiling, so in order to work with that issue, we essentially built the project from the ceiling down.” The result is a modern-industrial space with inviting common areas, creative nooks and an overall feeling of communal openness.

Adding curved angles and large glass panels so that light could flood the space gave this converted car showroom new life. Image: April Brown — Adding curved walkways and large glass panels, so that light could flood the space, gave this old car showroom a sense of modernity. Image: April Brown

Exposed brick, a wall of greenery and modern art in a creative work-space nook all lend a creative, free-flowing vibe to this office. Image: April Brown — Exposed brick, a wall of greenery and modern art all lend a creative, free-flowing vibe to this office. Image: April Brown

High Cotton

Williams Blackstock Architects renovated this once-windowless warehouse to create an open, transparent space, inviting employees of High Cotton to connect and collaborate. A light-filled, timeless interior is punctuated with the company’s trademark bold blue logo color to accentuate the space and give it a fun, fresh look.

New openings cut in the existing concrete walls allow and infusion of light into the open office space beyond. Image: Luker Photography — New openings in the existing concrete walls allow an infusion of light into the open office space. Image: Luker Photography

New windows and large expanses of interior glass help to flood the interiors with natural light and allow a layering effect with views from the main lobby through into the office spaces. Image: Luker Photography — New windows and large expanses of interior glass help to flood the interiors with natural light and allow a layering effect with views from the main lobby into the office spaces. Image: Luker Photography

Town Hall gathering space, with views into the production area, bring office staff and production staff together in the heart of the building. Image: Luker Photography — The “Town Hall” gathering space, with views into the production area, brings office staff and production staff together in the heart of the building. Image: Luker Photography

Glass box war rooms located in the open office make private conference space possible without sacrificing daylight and views. Image: Luker Photography

Berkadia

“Berkadia’s space creates a modern aesthetic with glass walls, stained concrete floors and contemporary lighting,” says Lead Interior Designer and Principal of Hatcher Schuster Interiors, Ivy Schuster. “The rustic nature of the furniture, reclaimed wood walls and a ping-pong table for their conference room create a laid-back interior. Overall, the space has a collaborative design that provides a fun workplace environment for employees to work in every day.” Executive Vice President of CMH Architects Mike Tillman echoes Ivy, saying, “A very small space was made to feel open by the removal of as many walls and ceilings as possible. The interior utilizes reclaimed wood and windows and exposed concrete floors in conjunction with contemporary elements to create a fun, functional work space.”

Vintage stadium seats and reclaimed wood lend a warmth to the sleek foundational elements. — Vintage stadium seats, vintage oriental rug and reclaimed wood lend a warmth to the sleek foundational elements.

The reclaimed wood theme is woven throughout the space. Here, the receptionist's reclaimed wood desk features some handsome leather handle pulls. — Here, the receptionist’s reclaimed wood desk features some handsome leather handle pulls.

The lobby at Berkadia features sleek lighting that complements the modern yet warm ambiance.

The ping-pong conference table is great for bouncing ideas — and ping-pong balls — back and forth amongst team members.

**********

Want to see more amazing local interiors? Check out our Interior Design section and be inspired!

About the Author
Lauren Helmer

Lauren Helmer is a writer, editor, and artist with a passion for food, the arts, interiors, and the people who create them.